Portland Adventist Academy Teacher Earns Doctorate

"Earning a doctorate is a test of perseverance," says Erich, who has spent the last 25 years working fulltime as an administrator, teacher or department chair while completing educational certifications and working on prerequisites to the doctorate. Erich has earned an Educational Specialist degree in administration and leadership, a master's (M.A.) in education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science with minors in French and religion.

Erich's dissertation was on the pitfalls and possibilities of public funding of private schools. His study was based on interviews of 24 individuals with expertise related to the issue of public funding of private, religious schools within the United States. Interviewees were primarily experts in historical and legal developments in public aid to private schools, the funding of private schools and the principle of the separation of church and state affairs.

Erich plans to submit summaries and related articles to numerous professional journals for publication.